Dayan Viciedo is Not the Sparkplug the Chicago White Sox Seek Down the Stretch

The Chicago White Sox evened up their series with the Texas Rangers Saturday night to keep pace with the Tigers in the AL Central standings. In the process, however, things may have taken a definite turn for the worse.

X-rays were negative, but Carlos Quentin leaving early in Chicago's 3-2 win is not good for the team's fading playoff hopes. Quentin is out for Sunday's series finale and his injured shoulder will be re-evaluated.

If the White Sox right fielder is going to miss any substantial time, Chicago is in big trouble.

Aside from Paul Konerko, Quentin has been the only serious power threat in the lineup. The prospect of Alex Rios in the cleanup spot should be enough for fans to keep their collective fingers crossed.

There may be hope, however.

Offensive juggernaut Dayan Viciedo has been lying in wait down in Triple-A waiting for the chance to come up and put Chicago's offense on his broad shoulders. I've been a proponent of calling up the hard-hitting Cuban at various points in the season along with many other fans.

Viciedo will likely be up with the club in September, if not sooner, but he's not going to carry this club in Quentin's absence.

His production screams for a call-up; .296, 17 homers and an all-star selection in the International League. On closer inspection, Viciedo in right field is not the catalyst to a division title.

Since taking part in the International League All-Star game on July 13, Viciedo has been a very different hitter. Since then, he is hitting .187 with a lone home run. He has had some problems with his right thumb, the one he broke in spring training.

At 100 percent, Viciedo would look good getting work as the DH for the season's last month with an occasional start in the outfield. If past results in major league action are an indication, he would be an upgrade over Rios and Adam Dunn and contribute offensively.

However, there's no guarantee that Viciedo comes in and instantly lights the American League up, even if healthy, which doesn't appear to be the case. To think there would be a seamless transition replacing Quentin's production down the stretch is wishful thinking at best.

I have to think that we're going to see Viciedo in a White Sox uniform before the season is out. Just remember that while he may have something to contribute, he is not the cure-all to the offense if Quentin is out for very long.